Joy List Monday -- Lazy Summer
It hasn't really been a lazy summer.
I recently realized that despite what I said in last week's Joy List Monday post, I haven't been enjoying summer like I usually do. Haven't been lying out on a blanket in the grass with the dogs.
Or eating meals on our patio. Or even cutting flowers for the house.
Last year I endeavored to Savor Summer. This year summer's getting lost in the shuffle.
But summer's not over yet. It's not too late to savor it.
To spend a few hours outside without a plan. Letting go and paying attention to the magic that is going on all around me.
It's a constant struggle. To be still. To be present. To pay attention.
Maybe I sound like a broken record each week as I share my struggle. But I think I'm not the only one who struggles with this. I think we all can use a reminder to slow down. To pay attention. To listen and look and smell (and taste and touch) and savor.
What about you? Are you savoring summer? Are you enjoying each day? What's going to be on your Joy List?
Here's mine:
I recently realized that despite what I said in last week's Joy List Monday post, I haven't been enjoying summer like I usually do. Haven't been lying out on a blanket in the grass with the dogs.
Or eating meals on our patio. Or even cutting flowers for the house.
Last year I endeavored to Savor Summer. This year summer's getting lost in the shuffle.
But summer's not over yet. It's not too late to savor it.
To spend a few hours outside without a plan. Letting go and paying attention to the magic that is going on all around me.
It's a constant struggle. To be still. To be present. To pay attention.
Maybe I sound like a broken record each week as I share my struggle. But I think I'm not the only one who struggles with this. I think we all can use a reminder to slow down. To pay attention. To listen and look and smell (and taste and touch) and savor.
What about you? Are you savoring summer? Are you enjoying each day? What's going to be on your Joy List?
Joy List Monday:
a weekly ritual
a reminder to stop and pay attention to the little beauties and graces that make life magical and to set aside time for gratitude each day
Here's mine:
- perfect weather
- making ratatouille with all good things from my garden (and a few from my mom's)
- cutting bouquets of flowers for the house
- spending time reading in the garden with Matthias and the dogs
- eating the first of our refrigerator pickles (so good... and seriously so easy; I used a version of this recipe)
- having breakfast at the farm with my family
- working on my next Skillshare class (if you haven't signed up for Skillshare at the special rate of 3 months for $.99 you still can. Access my class and thousands of others).
- spying a perfect crescent moon in the evening sky
- sending off a couple original paintings to new homes
- bits of a double rainbow in the sky on my way home from work
- buying a bottle of bubbles for $.50 and spending some time in the garden blowing bubbles
- Queen Anne's Lace and chicory blooming along the roadsides
- planning a couple crafty projects for the house
- watching the clouds
- the scent of basil
- our hummingbird visitor in the garden all the time
Your photos are always joyous Anne. I must admit that I am going through what seems a never ending period of discord in my personal life and have to fight hard to keep depression at bay. Thankfully these periods are getting shorter and I am able to see light at the end of the tunnel. Your blog is one aspect of my life that keeps me sane!
ReplyDeleteJoy List WEDNESDAY!
My son taking over the kitchen whilst he has a new found joy in cooking
A cool day in which to cut back overgrown plants in the garden
A surprise discovery of a toad in an old compost bag
Getting up early so I get a head start on the day
Making a blue lace agate stretchy bracelet just for me and feeling empowered by its meaning
Joy Lists are for EVERY day. :)
DeleteSorry to hear that you're struggling with finding joy. Life does have its ups and downs. I hope you are on your way back up soon!
And that's a lovely Joy List you've managed to create just the same!
Some days I have to remind myself to breathe and when that happens I choose a color such as pink as a cue to take a deep breath and notice the beauty all around me. It helps me to slow down a little and not let the day pass without little joys. Taking photos also helps time slow down- just like your photos capture summer in a way that says "I'm present". Have a good rest of the week!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of latching onto a color. Using that technique in conjunction with some essential oils would be lovely.
DeleteI go back and forth with photos. Sometimes taking photos gets in the way of my being fully present. I'm outside of the moment then, observing it, not living it. Other times I feel like it's a great way to ground myself.
I guess I'm fickle!
Hope your week is lovely, too, Sharon!
Oh, the scent of basil. I like that.
ReplyDeleteHappy August my friend!
Carla
P.S.
Lori loved her gift. Thank you for the special love put into your work! It is felt!!
The taste of basil, too, of course. :) But when you disturb it in the garden and you get a waft of the fragrance... ah... pure summer!
DeleteHappy August to you, too, Carla! All the best with your flower business!!
p.s. I'm delighted that Lori liked her gift. It was a joy to package it up and send it to her for you!!